Filament Storage

Re: Filament Storage

I don't often check or replace the desiccant. Mostly, I use Rice along side it (in Tea Bags).

I've never had trouble with ABS and have been using PETG for only a short while - no problems (except for tweaking print process to eliminate strings).

I just installed (this week) a new V6-all-metal Hot-End to further develop a good process for PETG...

PLA generally starts breaking shortly after it sits for a couple of days. There are many posts on net about this issue - some bake it in oven... some do other things... I tend to not fuss about it and toss out about 1 meter before printing.

Re: Filament Storage

Re: Filament Storage

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:33 pm

by dkightley

Where am I going wrong???

I have had both of my printers sitting idle for the best part of seven weeks as I've been otherwise occupied assisting the legal process.....and they're both printing PLA off the three quarter full spools that have been sitting on the printers all that time....and they're both printing perfect prints! No stringing, no blobs, no anything!

Re: Filament Storage

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:07 pm

by SWCNT

A few days doesn't sound right. For me PLA (Hatchbox) is usually good for about 6 months at 40% relative humidity (no storage). What brand of PLA are you using? I've never had much of an issue with PLA, but PETG has given me many issues with water absorption. I've gotten new reels (Hatchbox and eSun) that would hiss and pop immediately they were so wet. I spent over a year sourcing PETG for a project because I had so many issues with quality control from PETG manufacturers. There's a lot of shady additive stuff going on with PETG that isn't discussed in any reviews, people just blame the printer/software/settings, etc.

Re: Filament Storage

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:24 pm

by dkightley

I get my PLA from Rigid Ink. Not the cheapest.....but its good! 1.75mm dia 1Kg at £32GBP

Re: Filament Storage

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:24 pm

by greybeard

Hum..

First, I live in Oregon USA where it rains alot but, humidity is not exceedingly high.

I often leave the filament (PLA ABS and PETG) on the machine in ziploc's. I find the PLA breaks at every 5 inches if not using it or, is too old.

Generally, I just cut the first meter before using it.

I've tried many brands but always comeback to eSun.

Today, with about 1/4 spool of PLA on the machine and breaking, I baked it in oven at 170ºF 1 hr. Been printing now for 1 hr without breaking.

By the way, a 40W incandescent light bulb in the storage box works perfect - removes all moisture. Trouble is, once back on the machine and hanging around a few weeks, snap, crackle pop!